Last night hurt me more than anything. I'm sure it hurt many of you Celtics fans whose 1st team is likely to be the New England Patriots. We all hurt when a Boston team loses especially to a New York team. But congratulations to the Giants and Tom Coughlin for pulling off an outstanding victory - one I'm sure that the sports historians will talk about two centuries from now if the American sporting tradition is still around. I can sit here and blame fukda media but I am not going to do that.
The Celtics had some rough spots but I have noticed that they are able to compete effectively without Kevin Garnett in the line-up. They are 2-1 with one of the wins against a fine Dallas team. Orlando came up with a buzzer beater from All-star snub Hedo Terkoglu (The roster number of 12 means there will be at least three snubs). Maybe Doc should invite Hedo and rest Garnett. The defense is strong and the increased use of Leon Powe has given Boston a rebounding presence. The Celtics are getting by at the point guard as Rondo is an emerging star in this league. Time is certainly on his side.
So my advice to you hungover Patriot fans wating for spring training to start is to watch the Celtics for a few weeks and see why they have the best record in the NBA. Maybe keep watching them and enjoy a playoff campaign where a true champion emerges because the winner is required to win a best 4 out of 7 series against 4 quality opponents. The nature of the NFL is that some games are decided by lucky plays and the Giants last night got three lucky plays and benefitted from one bad Belichick coaching decision by benching Gostkowski on a potential 50 yard FG attempt to give the Patriots a 10-3 lead in the 3rd.
OK enough football talk, it doesn't matter and I'm moving onto the Boston Celtics.
Q
Monday, February 4, 2008
Monday, December 31, 2007
Celtics at the New Year
Never in my wildest dreams that the Celtics would be 26 and 3 at the New Year leading the NBA in the standings. Yet the naysayers argued that the Celtics had a soft schedule. Well the first WC road trip yielded 4 wins in 5 nights. In your face Naysayers. As Moss would say, it was satisfying shutting you naysayers up.
The 4 wins were against Sacremento (a good solid 35 win team in the tougher conference and Boston had not won their during Pierce's tenure), Seattle (young and enthusiastic plus Wally and West were motivated), Utah (They don't give up many in their Salt Palace), and of course the Fakers (What was that Tackle by Lamar Odom on Ray Allen for).
I went to the game in Seattle and it was a good game by the Celtics. I think this Durant kid will be special. West and Sczerbiak were huge in the 2nd qtr. West whacked Garnett from behind. Man I miss that kid but he had to go to make room for Ray Allen (which led to the Garnett deal). The Celtics pulled away slowly as Seattle made Boston work for this win. Pierce had an outstanding game and this is much his best season.
Beating the Fakers was special because the Celtics denied Phil Jackson his 939th coaching win to surpass Red Auerbach. No coach shall ever get their 939th win against the Celtics. It is one of the ten commandments of the NBA. And we finally have the upper hand in the rivalry and are much closer to winning the next championship.
So what does 26 and 3 mean at this juncture? We are on pace for a 50 game improvement in the standings from last year. The 17th NBA championship is a good possibility, too.
Now add in the Sixteen consecutive Patriot victories and that makes Boston 42-3 for the two non baseball local sports entries. The Celtics play Yao Ming and T-Mouth Wednesday and at Detriot, Saturday.
So the Triple Crown watch is on for 2008.
The 4 wins were against Sacremento (a good solid 35 win team in the tougher conference and Boston had not won their during Pierce's tenure), Seattle (young and enthusiastic plus Wally and West were motivated), Utah (They don't give up many in their Salt Palace), and of course the Fakers (What was that Tackle by Lamar Odom on Ray Allen for).
I went to the game in Seattle and it was a good game by the Celtics. I think this Durant kid will be special. West and Sczerbiak were huge in the 2nd qtr. West whacked Garnett from behind. Man I miss that kid but he had to go to make room for Ray Allen (which led to the Garnett deal). The Celtics pulled away slowly as Seattle made Boston work for this win. Pierce had an outstanding game and this is much his best season.
Beating the Fakers was special because the Celtics denied Phil Jackson his 939th coaching win to surpass Red Auerbach. No coach shall ever get their 939th win against the Celtics. It is one of the ten commandments of the NBA. And we finally have the upper hand in the rivalry and are much closer to winning the next championship.
So what does 26 and 3 mean at this juncture? We are on pace for a 50 game improvement in the standings from last year. The 17th NBA championship is a good possibility, too.
Now add in the Sixteen consecutive Patriot victories and that makes Boston 42-3 for the two non baseball local sports entries. The Celtics play Yao Ming and T-Mouth Wednesday and at Detriot, Saturday.
So the Triple Crown watch is on for 2008.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Accident Investigation
12:00
Start of the 3rd Quarter Boston played very well in the 1st half and
11:38 earned a 7 point lead over a tough opponent.
Chauncey Billups misses 13-foot jumper
45-52
11:37
45-52
Kendrick Perkins defensive rebound
11:33
45-52
Ray Allen misses 5-foot jumper
11:33
45-52
Kevin Garnett offensive rebound
11:17
45-52
Paul Pierce misses 25-foot three point jumper Three point shooting betrayed us tonight.
11:15
Rasheed Wallace defensive rebound
45-52
11:03
Rasheed Wallace bad pass (Rajon Rondo steals) Rajon Rondo has played well lately.
45-52
10:52
45-54
Kevin Garnett makes 19-foot jumper (Paul Pierce assists)
10:27
Tayshaun Prince misses 3-foot jumper
45-54
10:26
45-54
Ray Allen defensive rebound
10:10
45-54
Ray Allen misses layup
10:08
Rasheed Wallace defensive rebound
45-54
10:03
Paul Pierce blocks Chauncey Billups's layup
45-54
10:02
Antonio McDyess offensive rebound
45-54
10:00
Antonio McDyess makes slam dunk Hustle by Dice.
47-54
9:37
47-54
Paul Pierce misses 18-foot jumper
9:37
47-54
Kendrick Perkins offensive rebound
9:23
47-54
Kevin Garnett bad pass
9:04
Tayshaun Prince lost ball (Kevin Garnett steals)
47-54
9:00
47-54
Kevin Garnett traveling
8:51
Rasheed Wallace offensive foul (Ray Allen draws the foul)
47-54
8:51
Rasheed Wallace turnover
47-54
8:27
47-54
Kevin Garnett misses 21-foot jumper Kept missing chances to open up double-digit leads.
8:26
47-54
Boston defensive rebound
8:12
47-54
Kendrick Perkins shooting foul (Antonio McDyess draws the foul)
8:12
Antonio McDyess makes free throw 1 of 2
48-54
8:12
Antonio McDyess misses free throw 2 of 2
48-54
8:12
48-54
Kevin Garnett defensive rebound
7:54
48-56
Kendrick Perkins makes layup (Rajon Rondo assists)
7:35
Rasheed Wallace makes 25-foot three point jumper (Chauncey Billups assists)
51-56
7:22
51-56
Paul Pierce bad pass (Antonio McDyess steals)
7:20
51-56
Kevin Garnett jump ball
7:03
Chauncey Billups bad pass
51-56
6:48
51-56
Ray Allen misses 23-foot three point jumper
6:47
Rasheed Wallace defensive rebound
51-56
6:41
Chauncey Billups makes 26-foot three pointer
54-56 Billups was the star of the game.
6:41
Boston full timeout
6:24
54-56
Rajon Rondo lost ball (Chauncey Billups steals)
6:24
54-56
Rajon Rondo personal foul (Chauncey Billups draws the foul)
6:07
Antonio McDyess bad pass (Rajon Rondo steals)
54-56
6:00
54-56
Paul Pierce misses 25-foot three point jumper
5:58 Paul Pierce struggled in the 2nd half
Antonio McDyess defensive rebound
54-56
5:33
Chauncey Billups misses 19-foot jumper
54-56
5:33
Tayshaun Prince offensive rebound
54-56 (our rebounding broke down too)
5:31
Tayshaun Prince misses tip shot
54-56
5:30
54-56
Kevin Garnett defensive rebound
5:07
54-56
Kendrick Perkins misses two point shot (Should Garnett looked for his shot?)
5:05
Antonio McDyess defensive rebound
54-56
4:54
Antonio McDyess misses 18-foot jumper
54-56
4:54
54-56
Kevin Garnett defensive rebound
4:31
54-58
Kevin Garnett makes 11-foot two point shot
4:05
Richard Hamilton makes driving layup
56-58
3:43
56-60
Kevin Garnett makes 17-foot jumper (Rajon Rondo assists)
3:20
56-60
Rajon Rondo shooting foul (Chauncey Billups draws the foul) [HORRIBLE CALL]
3:20
Chauncey Billups makes free throw 1 of 3
57-60
3:20
Chauncey Billups makes free throw 2 of 3
58-60
3:20
Chauncey Billups makes free throw 3 of 3
59-60
3:04
Rasheed Wallace personal foul (Kevin Garnett draws the foul)
59-60
2:53
Detroit full timeout
2:48
59-60
Kevin Garnett misses 19-foot jumper
2:47
Rasheed Wallace defensive rebound
59-60
2:30
Rasheed Wallace lost ball (Kevin Garnett steals)
59-60
2:11
59-62
Paul Pierce makes driving layup
2:11
Rasheed Wallace shooting foul (Paul Pierce draws the foul)
59-62
2:11
Jason Maxiell enters the game for Rasheed Wallace
59-62
2:11
59-62
Paul Pierce misses free throw 1 of 1
2:11
Antonio McDyess defensive rebound
59-62
2:10
Antonio McDyess lost ball (Rajon Rondo steals)
59-62
2:08
Antonio McDyess shooting foul (Kevin Garnett draws the foul)
59-62
2:08
59-62
Kevin Garnett misses free throw 1 of 2
2:08
59-62
Boston offensive rebound
2:08
59-63
Kevin Garnett makes free throw 2 of 2
1:53
Richard Hamilton bad pass (Paul Pierce steals)
59-63
1:47
59-63
Paul Pierce misses layup
1:47
Antonio McDyess defensive rebound
59-63
1:35
59-63
Rajon Rondo personal foul (Chauncey Billups draws the foul)
1:35
59-63 [1st Doc Rivers substitute]
Eddie House enters the game for Rajon Rondo
1:35
59-63
Glen Davis enters the game for Kevin Garnett
1:35
Lindsey Hunter enters the game for Chauncey Billups
59-63
1:25
Tayshaun Prince makes 19-foot jumper
61-63
1:01
61-63
Paul Pierce traveling
0:46
Tayshaun Prince misses 21-foot jumper
61-63
0:44
61-63
Glen Davis defensive rebound
0:43
61-63
Jumpball: Antonio McDyess vs. Glen Davis (Ray Allen gains possession)
0:35
Antonio McDyess shooting foul (Ray Allen draws the foul)
61-63
0:35
61-64
Ray Allen makes free throw 1 of 2
0:35
61-65
Ray Allen makes free throw 2 of 2
0:21
Richard Hamilton misses 16-foot jumper
61-65
0:20
61-65
Glen Davis defensive rebound
0:03
61-65
Eddie House misses 19-foot jumper
0:02
61-65
Kendrick Perkins offensive rebound
0:00
61-65
Kendrick Perkins misses layup
0:00
61-65
Boston offensive rebound
0:00
End of the 3rd Quarter
1 2 3 4 All
4th Quarter Summary
TIME
DETROIT
SCORE
BOSTON
12:00
Start of the 4th Quarter
11:38
61-67
Paul Pierce makes 16-foot two point shot
11:15
Lindsey Hunter makes 16-foot jumper
63-67
11:02
Jason Maxiell shooting foul (Kendrick Perkins draws the foul)
63-67
11:02
63-67
Kendrick Perkins misses free throw 1 of 2
11:02
63-67
Boston offensive rebound
11:02
63-67
Kendrick Perkins misses free throw 2 of 2
11:02
Antonio McDyess defensive rebound
63-67
10:44
Antonio McDyess makes 17-foot jumper (Richard Hamilton assists)
65-67
10:30
65-67 [This is where the PG issues started]
Eddie House lost ball (Lindsey Hunter steals)
10:26
65-67 [Did KG get enough rest? Did DOc panic?]
Kevin Garnett enters the game for Kendrick Perkins
10:17
Tayshaun Prince misses 8-foot jumper
65-67
10:15
65-67
Kevin Garnett defensive rebound
10:00
65-67
Eddie House misses 25-foot three point jumper
9:59
65-67
Boston defensive rebound
9:59
65-67
Eddie House loose ball foul (Antonio McDyess draws the foul)
9:41
Lindsey Hunter makes 26-foot three point jumper
68-67
9:26
68-67
James Posey lost ball (Lindsey Hunter steals) [No PG in the game]
9:22
Richard Hamilton makes dunk (Antonio McDyess assists)
70-67
9:22
Boston full timeout
9:22
Arron Afflalo enters the game for Richard Hamilton
70-67
9:22
Chauncey Billups enters the game for Lindsey Hunter [We are in serious trouble now]
70-67
9:22
70-67
Rajon Rondo enters the game for Eddie House
9:14
Jason Maxiell shooting foul (Kevin Garnett draws the foul)
70-67
9:14
70-68
Kevin Garnett makes free throw 1 of 2
9:14
70-69
Kevin Garnett makes free throw 2 of 2
8:56
Chauncey Billups makes two point shot
72-69
8:37
72-71
Paul Pierce makes 19-foot two point shot
8:15
Chauncey Billups misses 21-foot jumper
72-71
8:15
Detroit offensive rebound
72-71
8:15
72-71
Kevin Garnett loose ball foul (Jason Maxiell draws the foul)
8:15
Rasheed Wallace enters the game for Antonio McDyess
72-71
8:00
Chauncey Billups misses 25-foot three point jumper
72-71
7:58
Rasheed Wallace offensive rebound [OUCH]
72-71
7:54
Rasheed Wallace misses 13-foot jumper
72-71
7:52
Arron Afflalo offensive rebound [This cannot happen]
72-71
7:39
Rasheed Wallace traveling
72-71
7:39
72-71
Kendrick Perkins enters the game for Glen Davis
7:26
72-71
Paul Pierce misses 19-foot jumper
7:24
72-71
Paul Pierce offensive rebound
7:11
72-71
Rajon Rondo bad pass
6:54
72-71
Rajon Rondo shooting foul (Chauncey Billups draws the foul)
6:54
72-71
Ray Allen enters the game for James Posey
6:54
Chauncey Billups makes free throw 1 of 2
73-71
6:54
73-71
James Posey enters the game for Rajon Rondo [NOT A GOOD THING]
6:54
Chauncey Billups makes free throw 2 of 2
74-71
6:41
74-71
Kevin Garnett offensive foul (Arron Afflalo draws the foul) [Possible losing moment]
6:41
74-71
Kevin Garnett turnover
6:20
Jason Maxiell makes layup
76-71
6:01
76-71
Paul Pierce misses 26-foot three point jumper
6:01
Rasheed Wallace defensive rebound
76-71
5:58
Chauncey Billups makes layup (Rasheed Wallace assists)
78-71
5:56
Boston 20 Sec. timeout
5:56
78-71
Official timeout
5:56
78-71
Rajon Rondo enters the game for Kendrick Perkins [Who will grab the key rebound?]
5:43
78-73
Ray Allen makes driving dunk
5:22
Tayshaun Prince misses 5-foot jumper
78-73
5:22
Jason Maxiell offensive rebound
78-73
5:20
78-73
James Posey shooting foul (Jason Maxiell draws the foul) [Who is matching up with Jason Maxial?]
5:20
Jason Maxiell makes free throw 1 of 2
79-73
5:20
Richard Hamilton enters the game for Arron Afflalo
79-73
5:20
Jason Maxiell misses free throw 2 of 2
79-73
5:20
79-73
Kevin Garnett defensive rebound
5:13
Richard Hamilton personal foul (Ray Allen draws the foul)
79-73
5:13
Antonio McDyess enters the game for Jason Maxiell
79-73
5:03
Rasheed Wallace shooting foul (Kevin Garnett draws the foul)
79-73
5:03
79-74
Kevin Garnett makes free throw 1 of 2
5:03
79-75
Kevin Garnett makes free throw 2 of 2
4:48
Chauncey Billups makes 11-foot two point shot
81-75
4:28
81-78
Ray Allen makes 23-foot three point jumper
4:07
Tayshaun Prince misses 24-foot three point jumper
81-78
4:07
Detroit offensive rebound
81-78
4:07
81-78
James Posey personal foul (Antonio McDyess draws the foul)
4:07
Antonio McDyess makes free throw 1 of 2
82-78
4:07
Antonio McDyess makes free throw 2 of 2
83-78
3:54
Antonio McDyess personal foul (Kevin Garnett draws the foul)
83-78
3:54
83-78
Kendrick Perkins enters the game for James Posey [Good sub - Doc]
3:54
83-79
Kevin Garnett makes free throw 1 of 2
3:54
83-79
Kevin Garnett misses free throw 2 of 2
3:54
Rasheed Wallace defensive rebound
83-79
3:33
Chauncey Billups makes 23-foot jumper
85-79
3:13
85-79
Paul Pierce traveling
2:53
Chauncey Billups misses 26-foot three point jumper
85-79
2:51
85-79
Ray Allen defensive rebound
2:44
85-79
Rajon Rondo misses 9-foot jumper
2:44
85-79
Kevin Garnett offensive rebound
2:43
85-79
Kevin Garnett misses tip shot
2:42
Rasheed Wallace defensive rebound
85-79
2:17
Antonio McDyess misses jumper
85-79
2:16
85-79
Paul Pierce defensive rebound
2:05
85-79
Rasheed Wallace blocks Kendrick Perkins's layup [KG should have shot it - instead of passing to KP]
2:03
Richard Hamilton defensive rebound
85-79
1:49
Antonio McDyess misses 19-foot jumper
85-79
1:47
85-79
Ray Allen defensive rebound
1:42
Boston 20 Sec. timeout
1:42
Detroit full timeout
1:42
85-79
Eddie House enters the game for Rajon Rondo
1:37
85-79
Paul Pierce misses layup
1:37
Chauncey Billups defensive rebound
85-79
1:19
Kendrick Perkins blocks Tayshaun Prince's 3-foot jumper
85-79
1:15
85-79
Kendrick Perkins defensive rebound
1:05
85-79
Ray Allen misses 24-foot three point jumper
1:02
85-79
Kevin Garnett offensive rebound
1:00
85-82
Eddie House makes 24-foot three point jumper (Ray Allen assists)
0:38
Chauncey Billups misses 19-foot jumper
85-82
0:37
85-82
Kendrick Perkins defensive rebound
0:18
85-85
Ray Allen makes 25-foot three point jumper
0:18
Detroit 20 Sec. timeout
0:18
85-85
Tony Allen enters the game for Eddie House
0:05
Chauncey Billups lost ball (Tony Allen steals)
85-85
0:05
Boston full timeout
0:05
85-85
Eddie House enters the game for Tony Allen
0:05
Lindsey Hunter enters the game for Antonio McDyess
85-85
0:05
85-85
James Posey enters the game for Kendrick Perkins
0:02
85-85
Paul Pierce misses jumper
0:01
Rasheed Wallace defensive rebound
85-85
0:01
Detroit 20 Sec. timeout
0:01
Antonio McDyess enters the game for Lindsey Hunter
85-85
0:01
85-85
Tony Allen enters the game for Eddie House
0:01
85-85
Kendrick Perkins enters the game for James Posey
0:00
85-85
Tony Allen shooting foul (Chauncey Billups draws the foul)
0:00 [Absolute shame considering that Tony Allen never had a chance to contribute]
Chauncey Billups makes free throw 1 of 2
86-85
0:00
Chauncey Billups makes free throw 2 of 2
87-85
[Basically- the Celtics did not execute the fundamentals - Poor PG play, poor defensive rebounding, and poor decision making on offense in the 2nd half killed this teams chances to win in the 2nd half. We lost an opportunity to open up a double digit advantage early in the third quarter and Detroit siezed the initiative and rode it to victory]
Start of the 3rd Quarter Boston played very well in the 1st half and
11:38 earned a 7 point lead over a tough opponent.
Chauncey Billups misses 13-foot jumper
45-52
11:37
45-52
Kendrick Perkins defensive rebound
11:33
45-52
Ray Allen misses 5-foot jumper
11:33
45-52
Kevin Garnett offensive rebound
11:17
45-52
Paul Pierce misses 25-foot three point jumper Three point shooting betrayed us tonight.
11:15
Rasheed Wallace defensive rebound
45-52
11:03
Rasheed Wallace bad pass (Rajon Rondo steals) Rajon Rondo has played well lately.
45-52
10:52
45-54
Kevin Garnett makes 19-foot jumper (Paul Pierce assists)
10:27
Tayshaun Prince misses 3-foot jumper
45-54
10:26
45-54
Ray Allen defensive rebound
10:10
45-54
Ray Allen misses layup
10:08
Rasheed Wallace defensive rebound
45-54
10:03
Paul Pierce blocks Chauncey Billups's layup
45-54
10:02
Antonio McDyess offensive rebound
45-54
10:00
Antonio McDyess makes slam dunk Hustle by Dice.
47-54
9:37
47-54
Paul Pierce misses 18-foot jumper
9:37
47-54
Kendrick Perkins offensive rebound
9:23
47-54
Kevin Garnett bad pass
9:04
Tayshaun Prince lost ball (Kevin Garnett steals)
47-54
9:00
47-54
Kevin Garnett traveling
8:51
Rasheed Wallace offensive foul (Ray Allen draws the foul)
47-54
8:51
Rasheed Wallace turnover
47-54
8:27
47-54
Kevin Garnett misses 21-foot jumper Kept missing chances to open up double-digit leads.
8:26
47-54
Boston defensive rebound
8:12
47-54
Kendrick Perkins shooting foul (Antonio McDyess draws the foul)
8:12
Antonio McDyess makes free throw 1 of 2
48-54
8:12
Antonio McDyess misses free throw 2 of 2
48-54
8:12
48-54
Kevin Garnett defensive rebound
7:54
48-56
Kendrick Perkins makes layup (Rajon Rondo assists)
7:35
Rasheed Wallace makes 25-foot three point jumper (Chauncey Billups assists)
51-56
7:22
51-56
Paul Pierce bad pass (Antonio McDyess steals)
7:20
51-56
Kevin Garnett jump ball
7:03
Chauncey Billups bad pass
51-56
6:48
51-56
Ray Allen misses 23-foot three point jumper
6:47
Rasheed Wallace defensive rebound
51-56
6:41
Chauncey Billups makes 26-foot three pointer
54-56 Billups was the star of the game.
6:41
Boston full timeout
6:24
54-56
Rajon Rondo lost ball (Chauncey Billups steals)
6:24
54-56
Rajon Rondo personal foul (Chauncey Billups draws the foul)
6:07
Antonio McDyess bad pass (Rajon Rondo steals)
54-56
6:00
54-56
Paul Pierce misses 25-foot three point jumper
5:58 Paul Pierce struggled in the 2nd half
Antonio McDyess defensive rebound
54-56
5:33
Chauncey Billups misses 19-foot jumper
54-56
5:33
Tayshaun Prince offensive rebound
54-56 (our rebounding broke down too)
5:31
Tayshaun Prince misses tip shot
54-56
5:30
54-56
Kevin Garnett defensive rebound
5:07
54-56
Kendrick Perkins misses two point shot (Should Garnett looked for his shot?)
5:05
Antonio McDyess defensive rebound
54-56
4:54
Antonio McDyess misses 18-foot jumper
54-56
4:54
54-56
Kevin Garnett defensive rebound
4:31
54-58
Kevin Garnett makes 11-foot two point shot
4:05
Richard Hamilton makes driving layup
56-58
3:43
56-60
Kevin Garnett makes 17-foot jumper (Rajon Rondo assists)
3:20
56-60
Rajon Rondo shooting foul (Chauncey Billups draws the foul) [HORRIBLE CALL]
3:20
Chauncey Billups makes free throw 1 of 3
57-60
3:20
Chauncey Billups makes free throw 2 of 3
58-60
3:20
Chauncey Billups makes free throw 3 of 3
59-60
3:04
Rasheed Wallace personal foul (Kevin Garnett draws the foul)
59-60
2:53
Detroit full timeout
2:48
59-60
Kevin Garnett misses 19-foot jumper
2:47
Rasheed Wallace defensive rebound
59-60
2:30
Rasheed Wallace lost ball (Kevin Garnett steals)
59-60
2:11
59-62
Paul Pierce makes driving layup
2:11
Rasheed Wallace shooting foul (Paul Pierce draws the foul)
59-62
2:11
Jason Maxiell enters the game for Rasheed Wallace
59-62
2:11
59-62
Paul Pierce misses free throw 1 of 1
2:11
Antonio McDyess defensive rebound
59-62
2:10
Antonio McDyess lost ball (Rajon Rondo steals)
59-62
2:08
Antonio McDyess shooting foul (Kevin Garnett draws the foul)
59-62
2:08
59-62
Kevin Garnett misses free throw 1 of 2
2:08
59-62
Boston offensive rebound
2:08
59-63
Kevin Garnett makes free throw 2 of 2
1:53
Richard Hamilton bad pass (Paul Pierce steals)
59-63
1:47
59-63
Paul Pierce misses layup
1:47
Antonio McDyess defensive rebound
59-63
1:35
59-63
Rajon Rondo personal foul (Chauncey Billups draws the foul)
1:35
59-63 [1st Doc Rivers substitute]
Eddie House enters the game for Rajon Rondo
1:35
59-63
Glen Davis enters the game for Kevin Garnett
1:35
Lindsey Hunter enters the game for Chauncey Billups
59-63
1:25
Tayshaun Prince makes 19-foot jumper
61-63
1:01
61-63
Paul Pierce traveling
0:46
Tayshaun Prince misses 21-foot jumper
61-63
0:44
61-63
Glen Davis defensive rebound
0:43
61-63
Jumpball: Antonio McDyess vs. Glen Davis (Ray Allen gains possession)
0:35
Antonio McDyess shooting foul (Ray Allen draws the foul)
61-63
0:35
61-64
Ray Allen makes free throw 1 of 2
0:35
61-65
Ray Allen makes free throw 2 of 2
0:21
Richard Hamilton misses 16-foot jumper
61-65
0:20
61-65
Glen Davis defensive rebound
0:03
61-65
Eddie House misses 19-foot jumper
0:02
61-65
Kendrick Perkins offensive rebound
0:00
61-65
Kendrick Perkins misses layup
0:00
61-65
Boston offensive rebound
0:00
End of the 3rd Quarter
1 2 3 4 All
4th Quarter Summary
TIME
DETROIT
SCORE
BOSTON
12:00
Start of the 4th Quarter
11:38
61-67
Paul Pierce makes 16-foot two point shot
11:15
Lindsey Hunter makes 16-foot jumper
63-67
11:02
Jason Maxiell shooting foul (Kendrick Perkins draws the foul)
63-67
11:02
63-67
Kendrick Perkins misses free throw 1 of 2
11:02
63-67
Boston offensive rebound
11:02
63-67
Kendrick Perkins misses free throw 2 of 2
11:02
Antonio McDyess defensive rebound
63-67
10:44
Antonio McDyess makes 17-foot jumper (Richard Hamilton assists)
65-67
10:30
65-67 [This is where the PG issues started]
Eddie House lost ball (Lindsey Hunter steals)
10:26
65-67 [Did KG get enough rest? Did DOc panic?]
Kevin Garnett enters the game for Kendrick Perkins
10:17
Tayshaun Prince misses 8-foot jumper
65-67
10:15
65-67
Kevin Garnett defensive rebound
10:00
65-67
Eddie House misses 25-foot three point jumper
9:59
65-67
Boston defensive rebound
9:59
65-67
Eddie House loose ball foul (Antonio McDyess draws the foul)
9:41
Lindsey Hunter makes 26-foot three point jumper
68-67
9:26
68-67
James Posey lost ball (Lindsey Hunter steals) [No PG in the game]
9:22
Richard Hamilton makes dunk (Antonio McDyess assists)
70-67
9:22
Boston full timeout
9:22
Arron Afflalo enters the game for Richard Hamilton
70-67
9:22
Chauncey Billups enters the game for Lindsey Hunter [We are in serious trouble now]
70-67
9:22
70-67
Rajon Rondo enters the game for Eddie House
9:14
Jason Maxiell shooting foul (Kevin Garnett draws the foul)
70-67
9:14
70-68
Kevin Garnett makes free throw 1 of 2
9:14
70-69
Kevin Garnett makes free throw 2 of 2
8:56
Chauncey Billups makes two point shot
72-69
8:37
72-71
Paul Pierce makes 19-foot two point shot
8:15
Chauncey Billups misses 21-foot jumper
72-71
8:15
Detroit offensive rebound
72-71
8:15
72-71
Kevin Garnett loose ball foul (Jason Maxiell draws the foul)
8:15
Rasheed Wallace enters the game for Antonio McDyess
72-71
8:00
Chauncey Billups misses 25-foot three point jumper
72-71
7:58
Rasheed Wallace offensive rebound [OUCH]
72-71
7:54
Rasheed Wallace misses 13-foot jumper
72-71
7:52
Arron Afflalo offensive rebound [This cannot happen]
72-71
7:39
Rasheed Wallace traveling
72-71
7:39
72-71
Kendrick Perkins enters the game for Glen Davis
7:26
72-71
Paul Pierce misses 19-foot jumper
7:24
72-71
Paul Pierce offensive rebound
7:11
72-71
Rajon Rondo bad pass
6:54
72-71
Rajon Rondo shooting foul (Chauncey Billups draws the foul)
6:54
72-71
Ray Allen enters the game for James Posey
6:54
Chauncey Billups makes free throw 1 of 2
73-71
6:54
73-71
James Posey enters the game for Rajon Rondo [NOT A GOOD THING]
6:54
Chauncey Billups makes free throw 2 of 2
74-71
6:41
74-71
Kevin Garnett offensive foul (Arron Afflalo draws the foul) [Possible losing moment]
6:41
74-71
Kevin Garnett turnover
6:20
Jason Maxiell makes layup
76-71
6:01
76-71
Paul Pierce misses 26-foot three point jumper
6:01
Rasheed Wallace defensive rebound
76-71
5:58
Chauncey Billups makes layup (Rasheed Wallace assists)
78-71
5:56
Boston 20 Sec. timeout
5:56
78-71
Official timeout
5:56
78-71
Rajon Rondo enters the game for Kendrick Perkins [Who will grab the key rebound?]
5:43
78-73
Ray Allen makes driving dunk
5:22
Tayshaun Prince misses 5-foot jumper
78-73
5:22
Jason Maxiell offensive rebound
78-73
5:20
78-73
James Posey shooting foul (Jason Maxiell draws the foul) [Who is matching up with Jason Maxial?]
5:20
Jason Maxiell makes free throw 1 of 2
79-73
5:20
Richard Hamilton enters the game for Arron Afflalo
79-73
5:20
Jason Maxiell misses free throw 2 of 2
79-73
5:20
79-73
Kevin Garnett defensive rebound
5:13
Richard Hamilton personal foul (Ray Allen draws the foul)
79-73
5:13
Antonio McDyess enters the game for Jason Maxiell
79-73
5:03
Rasheed Wallace shooting foul (Kevin Garnett draws the foul)
79-73
5:03
79-74
Kevin Garnett makes free throw 1 of 2
5:03
79-75
Kevin Garnett makes free throw 2 of 2
4:48
Chauncey Billups makes 11-foot two point shot
81-75
4:28
81-78
Ray Allen makes 23-foot three point jumper
4:07
Tayshaun Prince misses 24-foot three point jumper
81-78
4:07
Detroit offensive rebound
81-78
4:07
81-78
James Posey personal foul (Antonio McDyess draws the foul)
4:07
Antonio McDyess makes free throw 1 of 2
82-78
4:07
Antonio McDyess makes free throw 2 of 2
83-78
3:54
Antonio McDyess personal foul (Kevin Garnett draws the foul)
83-78
3:54
83-78
Kendrick Perkins enters the game for James Posey [Good sub - Doc]
3:54
83-79
Kevin Garnett makes free throw 1 of 2
3:54
83-79
Kevin Garnett misses free throw 2 of 2
3:54
Rasheed Wallace defensive rebound
83-79
3:33
Chauncey Billups makes 23-foot jumper
85-79
3:13
85-79
Paul Pierce traveling
2:53
Chauncey Billups misses 26-foot three point jumper
85-79
2:51
85-79
Ray Allen defensive rebound
2:44
85-79
Rajon Rondo misses 9-foot jumper
2:44
85-79
Kevin Garnett offensive rebound
2:43
85-79
Kevin Garnett misses tip shot
2:42
Rasheed Wallace defensive rebound
85-79
2:17
Antonio McDyess misses jumper
85-79
2:16
85-79
Paul Pierce defensive rebound
2:05
85-79
Rasheed Wallace blocks Kendrick Perkins's layup [KG should have shot it - instead of passing to KP]
2:03
Richard Hamilton defensive rebound
85-79
1:49
Antonio McDyess misses 19-foot jumper
85-79
1:47
85-79
Ray Allen defensive rebound
1:42
Boston 20 Sec. timeout
1:42
Detroit full timeout
1:42
85-79
Eddie House enters the game for Rajon Rondo
1:37
85-79
Paul Pierce misses layup
1:37
Chauncey Billups defensive rebound
85-79
1:19
Kendrick Perkins blocks Tayshaun Prince's 3-foot jumper
85-79
1:15
85-79
Kendrick Perkins defensive rebound
1:05
85-79
Ray Allen misses 24-foot three point jumper
1:02
85-79
Kevin Garnett offensive rebound
1:00
85-82
Eddie House makes 24-foot three point jumper (Ray Allen assists)
0:38
Chauncey Billups misses 19-foot jumper
85-82
0:37
85-82
Kendrick Perkins defensive rebound
0:18
85-85
Ray Allen makes 25-foot three point jumper
0:18
Detroit 20 Sec. timeout
0:18
85-85
Tony Allen enters the game for Eddie House
0:05
Chauncey Billups lost ball (Tony Allen steals)
85-85
0:05
Boston full timeout
0:05
85-85
Eddie House enters the game for Tony Allen
0:05
Lindsey Hunter enters the game for Antonio McDyess
85-85
0:05
85-85
James Posey enters the game for Kendrick Perkins
0:02
85-85
Paul Pierce misses jumper
0:01
Rasheed Wallace defensive rebound
85-85
0:01
Detroit 20 Sec. timeout
0:01
Antonio McDyess enters the game for Lindsey Hunter
85-85
0:01
85-85
Tony Allen enters the game for Eddie House
0:01
85-85
Kendrick Perkins enters the game for James Posey
0:00
85-85
Tony Allen shooting foul (Chauncey Billups draws the foul)
0:00 [Absolute shame considering that Tony Allen never had a chance to contribute]
Chauncey Billups makes free throw 1 of 2
86-85
0:00
Chauncey Billups makes free throw 2 of 2
87-85
[Basically- the Celtics did not execute the fundamentals - Poor PG play, poor defensive rebounding, and poor decision making on offense in the 2nd half killed this teams chances to win in the 2nd half. We lost an opportunity to open up a double digit advantage early in the third quarter and Detroit siezed the initiative and rode it to victory]
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
The Celtics are better than anyone thought
17 and 2 at this point - tops in the NBA at this point in the season. The naysayers say that they have not played anybody. What do they mean by that? The NBA changes and some teams improve and others decline. True, we have not had any Western road swings but who says the West is a stronger conference this year. Hasn't Orlando done well out West? Detriot? I'm a bit skeptical of the overall strength in the WC. Dallas and Phoenix are in decline. Minnesota is horrible but they compete most nights (reminds you of a local NBA team last year, huh?).
The Celtics lead the league in Point Differential and in FG% and FGA%. It is not rocket science why they have the best record in the NBA. I had them pegged at 14 and 6. They will be at least 3 and probably 4 games better than that. The Celtics won games in Charlotte, Chicago, Miami, and an extra game against Toronto that I predicted were losses. The Celtics lost in OT in Cleveland after Ray Allen missed to FT to give Boston a lead with seconds left in Regulation. The Celtics lost by two in Orlando but had some looks at a potential game winning 3 in the closing minute.
Why are the Celtics so much better? Simple answer - Better talent. They finally traded for Superstars! That does not happen often. They were able to acquire key role players through free agency like Posey. Perkins and Rondo are maturing. Pierce is relaxing, finally. Doc Rivers has some coaching ability and better assistents. Ainge is a resident genious GM (while finally he got some breaks with McHale and the Seattle GM). One of the most important factors is the patience of the ownership group and their visible support at the games. That was definitely missing with the prior ownership who traded FOR Vin Baker.
Finally, the City of Boston is the hub of the Sports World - featuring FIVE Championships this decade already (We expect the Patriots to add to the total and quite possibly the Red Sox, also). The energy of the Boston fans is tremendous based on my personal observations in S Florida at Dolphin Stadium. There are also plenty of Boston sport shirts, coats, and hats worn at every airport hub. So I suspect this energy will carry over to NBA arenas as the Celtics fans come out of the woodwork and give the Celtics support on the road.
Future posts will get into detailed discussions about matchups, statistics, game tape analysis, coaching decision 2nd guessing, the blogger notes, CSL....... I should focus my thoughts more on this website....
Ron (Q)
The Celtics lead the league in Point Differential and in FG% and FGA%. It is not rocket science why they have the best record in the NBA. I had them pegged at 14 and 6. They will be at least 3 and probably 4 games better than that. The Celtics won games in Charlotte, Chicago, Miami, and an extra game against Toronto that I predicted were losses. The Celtics lost in OT in Cleveland after Ray Allen missed to FT to give Boston a lead with seconds left in Regulation. The Celtics lost by two in Orlando but had some looks at a potential game winning 3 in the closing minute.
Why are the Celtics so much better? Simple answer - Better talent. They finally traded for Superstars! That does not happen often. They were able to acquire key role players through free agency like Posey. Perkins and Rondo are maturing. Pierce is relaxing, finally. Doc Rivers has some coaching ability and better assistents. Ainge is a resident genious GM (while finally he got some breaks with McHale and the Seattle GM). One of the most important factors is the patience of the ownership group and their visible support at the games. That was definitely missing with the prior ownership who traded FOR Vin Baker.
Finally, the City of Boston is the hub of the Sports World - featuring FIVE Championships this decade already (We expect the Patriots to add to the total and quite possibly the Red Sox, also). The energy of the Boston fans is tremendous based on my personal observations in S Florida at Dolphin Stadium. There are also plenty of Boston sport shirts, coats, and hats worn at every airport hub. So I suspect this energy will carry over to NBA arenas as the Celtics fans come out of the woodwork and give the Celtics support on the road.
Future posts will get into detailed discussions about matchups, statistics, game tape analysis, coaching decision 2nd guessing, the blogger notes, CSL....... I should focus my thoughts more on this website....
Ron (Q)
Thursday, November 15, 2007
At 7-0
This has not happened in a long time. The Boston Celtics having the best record in the NBA and ranked Number ONE in the power polls. On a night where Poor Energy seemed a legitimate excuse for losing to the revenge minded New Jersey Nets, the Celtics took a tight, sloppy game and simply handed it to New Jersey in the 2nd half with the Allen brothers, Posey, Baby, and Scalabrine out on the dance floor. Forcing TO after TO, and blocking anything NJ brought into the lane, the Celtics knocked out the Nets decisively with KG and PP getting their due rest.
And in listening to a glowing Bill Walton, who still exhibits that Boston Celtics Pride, the Celtics are playing magnificent basketball with that exquisite passing. I know, if you are not a Celtics fan and a certified Boston sports hater, you are probably blowing chow reading this. I say too bad because I am eating this up after 20 years of suffering that I am sure has trimmed some years off the back end of my career as a Boston sports fan beginning with the 1967 World Series and accelerated by the sports call of one Johnny Most.
Bird, McHale, and Parish can walk through the door and remember how good winning Celtics basketball once was and can be. Although for Bird and especially for McHale, it is career limiting for them at this point. Maybe Ainge can hire them as senior consultants.
A guy I feel bad for is Antione Walker who is hopelessly pidgeonholed in Minnesota as the elder statesman. He will continue to go out and compete because he plays for the love of the game. His skills are limited but last night he played within himself and contributed to Minnesota's 1st victory of the season. On a team that figures to be horrible with a marginal coach, any Minnesota win is a blessing because most of their key components are Boston Celtics alumni. We'll see how the Gomes, Walker, and Jefferson lineup fare in the WC.
The Stephon Marbury - Isiah Thomas affair in New York is a disgrace. The Knicks would benefit more than any other team with an NFL style hard cap with no guarentee contracts. They claim to have the best 12th man in the league. It is too bad that positions 1 through 5 are overpaid pukes, though. New York, will have to burn off three or four of those horrible contracts and stockpile young talent. Getting rid of Steve Francis for Zachary Randolph was a good move for them but he can't be a team leader.
Charlotte is breaking out into a decent team these days with Jason Richardson, Meka Okafor, and Ray Felton.
I am impressed with the Atlanta Hawks who had an outstanding draft of Acie Law and Al Horford to go with Joe Johnson, Josh CHildress, and Zaza Pachulia. They will move up the EC ladder quickly. Heck they beat Dallas and Phoenix already and gave us a tough game for three quarters in Boston.
Miami has plummeted quickly and Riley has no clue what to do except hope Dewayne Wade can single handedly right this shipwreck. Shaquille O'Neal is less and less of a factor as the years go by. Alonzo Mourning, an amazing story, is finally slowing down. Mark Blount and RD are there to show up, play, get beat, and then go party in Miami Beach after the game. Riley looks horrible and this losing is obviously getting to him. The Miami sports scene is clearly a mess right now.
Detriot won a tough game by making all the plays down the stretch against Golden State. They are still highly competitive. I am looking foward to a matchup with them to see how the Celtics stack up with the best EC franchise over the past five seasons.
Indiana is falling quickly after a good opening 5 games. They don't have a lot of talent but they will nail any team that is flat.
Chicago is off to another terrible start but that seems to be in their DNA. Perhaps they are waiting to ambush Boston in the Windy City on a December night and call it the start of the NBA season. Honestly, I think Scott Skiles is a great coach and you would think they would get off to a better start than that.
Well I better go to work before I am fired. Talk to you soon.
And in listening to a glowing Bill Walton, who still exhibits that Boston Celtics Pride, the Celtics are playing magnificent basketball with that exquisite passing. I know, if you are not a Celtics fan and a certified Boston sports hater, you are probably blowing chow reading this. I say too bad because I am eating this up after 20 years of suffering that I am sure has trimmed some years off the back end of my career as a Boston sports fan beginning with the 1967 World Series and accelerated by the sports call of one Johnny Most.
Bird, McHale, and Parish can walk through the door and remember how good winning Celtics basketball once was and can be. Although for Bird and especially for McHale, it is career limiting for them at this point. Maybe Ainge can hire them as senior consultants.
A guy I feel bad for is Antione Walker who is hopelessly pidgeonholed in Minnesota as the elder statesman. He will continue to go out and compete because he plays for the love of the game. His skills are limited but last night he played within himself and contributed to Minnesota's 1st victory of the season. On a team that figures to be horrible with a marginal coach, any Minnesota win is a blessing because most of their key components are Boston Celtics alumni. We'll see how the Gomes, Walker, and Jefferson lineup fare in the WC.
The Stephon Marbury - Isiah Thomas affair in New York is a disgrace. The Knicks would benefit more than any other team with an NFL style hard cap with no guarentee contracts. They claim to have the best 12th man in the league. It is too bad that positions 1 through 5 are overpaid pukes, though. New York, will have to burn off three or four of those horrible contracts and stockpile young talent. Getting rid of Steve Francis for Zachary Randolph was a good move for them but he can't be a team leader.
Charlotte is breaking out into a decent team these days with Jason Richardson, Meka Okafor, and Ray Felton.
I am impressed with the Atlanta Hawks who had an outstanding draft of Acie Law and Al Horford to go with Joe Johnson, Josh CHildress, and Zaza Pachulia. They will move up the EC ladder quickly. Heck they beat Dallas and Phoenix already and gave us a tough game for three quarters in Boston.
Miami has plummeted quickly and Riley has no clue what to do except hope Dewayne Wade can single handedly right this shipwreck. Shaquille O'Neal is less and less of a factor as the years go by. Alonzo Mourning, an amazing story, is finally slowing down. Mark Blount and RD are there to show up, play, get beat, and then go party in Miami Beach after the game. Riley looks horrible and this losing is obviously getting to him. The Miami sports scene is clearly a mess right now.
Detriot won a tough game by making all the plays down the stretch against Golden State. They are still highly competitive. I am looking foward to a matchup with them to see how the Celtics stack up with the best EC franchise over the past five seasons.
Indiana is falling quickly after a good opening 5 games. They don't have a lot of talent but they will nail any team that is flat.
Chicago is off to another terrible start but that seems to be in their DNA. Perhaps they are waiting to ambush Boston in the Windy City on a December night and call it the start of the NBA season. Honestly, I think Scott Skiles is a great coach and you would think they would get off to a better start than that.
Well I better go to work before I am fired. Talk to you soon.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Circle This Date
http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695224569,00.html
He who talk bad about my Celtics shall pay. He says it is nothing personal. But my favorite team has not won the championship in 22 years. Well, deseretnews troll, I am taking this personal and have targeted Saturday, December 29, 2007 to take my frustrations out on the Utah Jazz. Nothing personal. I am going for that crown that Bill Walton has predicted we would get.
Now onto todays game:
I feel the Celtics have a tough matchup with the Toronto Raptors this afternoon. The sad thing is that Bostonians will not pay much attention to this game due to Super Bowl 41 and a half.
The preseason contest at Rome, Italy was an indicator that both teams will be playoff teams this year as the intensity level was already at mid-season. As FLCeltfan has already pointed out, the key matchups are Rondo-TJ Ford, Garnett-Bosh, and add in Bargani-Perkins as well as the benches and coaching and this has the makings of a good early season test for the Celtics.
Key will be defending the perimeter so the Celtics should take an outside inside approach to everyone except TJ Ford. TJ will beat with his penetration (Same could be said about Rondo, though). The Boston Celtics may not win this game.
Sunday, November 4, 2007 11:00 CST
He who talk bad about my Celtics shall pay. He says it is nothing personal. But my favorite team has not won the championship in 22 years. Well, deseretnews troll, I am taking this personal and have targeted Saturday, December 29, 2007 to take my frustrations out on the Utah Jazz. Nothing personal. I am going for that crown that Bill Walton has predicted we would get.
Now onto todays game:
I feel the Celtics have a tough matchup with the Toronto Raptors this afternoon. The sad thing is that Bostonians will not pay much attention to this game due to Super Bowl 41 and a half.
The preseason contest at Rome, Italy was an indicator that both teams will be playoff teams this year as the intensity level was already at mid-season. As FLCeltfan has already pointed out, the key matchups are Rondo-TJ Ford, Garnett-Bosh, and add in Bargani-Perkins as well as the benches and coaching and this has the makings of a good early season test for the Celtics.
Key will be defending the perimeter so the Celtics should take an outside inside approach to everyone except TJ Ford. TJ will beat with his penetration (Same could be said about Rondo, though). The Boston Celtics may not win this game.
Sunday, November 4, 2007 11:00 CST
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Good opening win
The Celtics were tight in the opening quarter but laid the foundation for a blowout W by playing tough defense and working on Goose Egg Arenas. Then with Pierce leading the way in the 2nd quarter, the Celtics established a double digit lead and steadily extended it. The ball moved on offense while Washington was consistently stifled. About the only matchup the Celtics lost was Brendon Haywood on Kendrick Perkins.
Rondo continues to impress me more and more as the traditional PG. He made a nice open look J in the 3rd qtr.
Things got sloppy in the 2nd half once the Celtics got a 25 point lead. Pierce dribbling into double teams. Tony Allen driving and getting stripped. KG came in and stabilized things a lot and prevented a potential Washington comeback.
Just listening to JB, Duke, and Jughead post game review. I thank all of them and they will get significant recognition sometime this year.
Also, Bill Walton pontificated on ESPN about how this night was magical in Boston and how the 22 year drought was finally over.
The 2008 journey has just begun.
Rondo continues to impress me more and more as the traditional PG. He made a nice open look J in the 3rd qtr.
Things got sloppy in the 2nd half once the Celtics got a 25 point lead. Pierce dribbling into double teams. Tony Allen driving and getting stripped. KG came in and stabilized things a lot and prevented a potential Washington comeback.
Just listening to JB, Duke, and Jughead post game review. I thank all of them and they will get significant recognition sometime this year.
Also, Bill Walton pontificated on ESPN about how this night was magical in Boston and how the 22 year drought was finally over.
The 2008 journey has just begun.
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